No vaccinations are required and the tap water is safe. Painkillers are sold only in green-cross pharmacies, never in supermarkets, with a duty rota out of hours. La Paz and Gregorio Maranon in Madrid, Hospital Clinic and Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona all have international departments or multilingual emergency staff.
Health, insurance and where to be treated
- Vaccinations and health risks: Spain requires no mandatory vaccinations for entry as of 2026. The risk of malaria or dengue on Spanish territory is negligible. Tap water is microbiologically safe and drinkable.
- Pharmacies (Farmacia): Marked with a prominent green cross. Common painkillers (e.g. Ibuprofen, Paracetamol) are sold exclusively in pharmacies, not in regular supermarkets. Outside standard hours, 24-hour duty pharmacies (Farmacia de guardia) operate.
- Hospitals suitable for foreigners:
- Madrid: Hospital Universitario La Paz (a state hospital with a large international department and emergency room), Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón.
- Barcelona: Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (centrally located, with multilingual emergency staff), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (the largest trauma center).
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